Reed switch detection for IV pump tube calibration

Abstract

A system and method for calibrating an IV pump infusion system tube comprises a fluid source, an infusion system comprising, an IV pump, a drive unit, a chamber with known constant volume, a control unit, and IV tubing with a known inner diameter tolerance, and a switch and magnetic floating object. The system administers medicinal fluid, calculates the flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber by measuring the time the switch is activated as medicinal fluid rises in the chamber, compares the calculated flow rate with a set flow rate of the IV pump input in the control unit prior to infusion, and adjusts the IV pump and flow rate based on the compared deviations for more accurate delivery to a patient. This configuration may provide a more precise delivery rate of medicinal fluid, preventing harm to the patient and waste of medicine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A calibration system for an intravenous (IV) pump infusion system, comprising:
 a chamber with constant volume, the chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, the chamber configured to allow medicinal fluid to enter via the inlet and exit via the outlet; 
 a magnetic floating detection object configured to float in the medicinal fluid; and 
 a switch coupled to the chamber and configured to measure an amount of time it takes the medicinal fluid to rise from a first position in the chamber to a second position based on an amount of time the switch is activated, the switch further configured to transmit the measured amount of time to an IV pump control unit, 
 wherein the switch is activated when the magnetic floating detection object in the medicinal fluid passes the first position as the medicinal fluid fills the chamber and remains activated until the magnetic floating detection object completely passes the second position, and 
 wherein the medicinal fluid exits the chamber via the outlet when the medicinal fluid fills the chamber past the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The calibration system according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch is a reed switch and is coupled between the first position and the second position, and wherein the switch is further configured to continuously detect a magnetic force of the magnetic floating detection object when it is between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       3. The calibration system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first position corresponds to a bottom portion of the switch along the chamber, and the second position corresponds to a top portion of the switch along the chamber. 
     
     
       4. The calibration system according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch is a reed switch, and the switch closes and begins to detect the magnetic floating detection object when the magnetic floating detection object passes the first position and remains closed and continues detecting the magnetic floating object until the magnetic floating detection object completely passes the second position. 
     
     
       5. The calibration system according to  claim 1 , wherein the IV pump control unit comprises:
 a microprocessor configured to: 
 receive an input flow rate, 
 calculate a flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber based on the measured amount of time, and 
 compare the calculated flow rate with the input flow rate; and 
 a memory configured to store the input flow rate, the calculated flow rate, and the measured amount of time. 
 
     
     
       6. A calibration system for an intravenous (IV) pump infusion system, comprising:
 a chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, 
 a magnetic floating detection object configured to float in medicinal fluid contained within the chamber; and 
 a switch coupled to the chamber; 
 wherein the switch is activated when the magnetic floating detection object in the medicinal fluid passes a first position and remains activated until the magnetic floating detection object passes a second position, and 
 wherein the medicinal fluid exits the chamber via the outlet when the medicinal fluid fills the chamber past the second position. 
 
     
     
       7. The calibration system of  claim 6 , wherein the switch is configured to measure an amount of time it takes the medicinal fluid to rise from a first position in the chamber to a second position based on an amount of time the switch is activated. 
     
     
       8. The calibration system of  claim 7 , wherein the switch is further configured to transmit the measured amount of time to an IV pump control unit. 
     
     
       9. The calibration system according to  claim 6 , wherein the switch is a reed switch and is coupled between the first position and the second position, and wherein the switch is further configured to continuously detect a magnetic force of the magnetic floating detection object when it is between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       10. The calibration system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first position corresponds to a bottom portion of the switch along the chamber, and the second position corresponds to a top portion of the switch along the chamber. 
     
     
       11. The calibration system according to  claim 8 , wherein the IV pump control unit comprise:
 a microprocessor configured to:
 receive an input flow rate, 
 calculate a flow rate of the medicinal fluid in the chamber based on the measured amount of time, and 
 compare the calculated flow rate with the input flow rate; and 
 
 a memory configured to store the input flow rate, the calculated flow rate, and the measured amount of time.